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TEFL vs CELTA vs TESOL

Sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before, but I've been trying to find the answer to this for a couple of hours now, and my brain feels like it's melting out of my ears. :)

Is there much difference between TEFL, CELTA and TESOL qualifications, both in the sense of "material taught" and "inherent employability"? I want to be sure that I'm not spending money on a useless course.

Yes, there is. They often talk about 'international reocgnition' when they mean within that company. Check it is not just an in-house course, which may well not get you recognition. Is it independently recognised? The CELTA is a course that is recognised- the RSA in Britain acredit it.

Re: TEFL vs CELTA vs TESOL

CELTA is now an outdated form of TESOL teaching. It has no applicabiliy to Asia due to its failure to stick with PPP procedures that have been abondoned in favor of Task basd principles. CELTA is not accredited as it is a Franchise -it is promoted by the British Council - though these days the vast number of Teachers are switching away from CELTA which is really teachng wrong Principles. Professor Ellis (himself British) said yesterday in Tokyo that CELTA course had become irrelevant in Asia due to their failure to teach English within the culture. The International Accrediting Agency for TESOL has not recognized CELTA yet according t their site - many TBT TESOL coures have been inspected and passed. If you want to do a TESOL course that is recognized in Asia, check if they comply wth Task based curriculums.

Re: TEFL vs CELTA vs TESOL

1. What on earth does this mean:
due to its failure to stick with PPP procedures that have been abondoned in favor of Task basd principles
2. Who are they:
International Accrediting Agency for TESOL (Google results 1- this thread)
3. What does this mean:
CELTA is not accredited as it is a Franchise
(A little short on both facts and logic)
4. Did the person actually mention Asia in their post?

5. Also, shouldn't you declare your interest instead of pretending to be impartial: your email leads us to Untitled Document

Re: TEFL vs CELTA vs TESOL

To all intents and purposes TEFL = TESOL in terms of qualifications. A basic first job will usually require a degree and a TEFL certificate.

The CELTA is, in my opinion, a top end TEFL certificate. It is perhaps the most widely regarded. It is, however, a very intensive course and I believe it's best to have a couple of years experience before taking it.

What a lot of people do is take a simple TEFL certificate, teach for a while and then, if they decide they want to advance to DoS positions or higher up the chain they take a CELTA.

Re: TEFL vs CELTA vs TESOL

Originally Posted by ICAL_Pete

To all intents and purposes TEFL = TESOL in terms of qualifications. A basic first job will usually require a degree and a TEFL certificate.

The CELTA is, in my opinion, a top end TEFL certificate. It is perhaps the most widely regarded. It is, however, a very intensive course and I believe it's best to have a couple of years experience before taking it.

What a lot of people do is take a simple TEFL certificate, teach for a while and then, if they decide they want to advance to DoS positions or higher up the chain they take a CELTA.

I completely agree. I had major difficulties with the CELTA because I had no experience. It's a very good course, although I also think that some of the methodology they use it's just not right, or probably didn't work for me...

Re: TEFL vs CELTA vs TESOL

TEFL = teaching/teacher of English as a foriegn language. That means the learner does not plan to live in an English speaking country as a long term resident, i.e. as an immigrant. Rather they will use it to study or in their work or life, but generally in a non English speaking country.

TESOL = teach(ing) English to/for speakers of other languages. This includes EFL (see above) and ESL (English as a second language - this is for immigrants to English speaking countries)

Most teachers will work in the EFL industry. ESL is generally a domestic government or sub-government 'industry' as opposed to the EFL industry which has profit making schools/businesses the world over.

CELTA = Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages. This is an actual qualification (not a general industry acronym) that belongs to the University of Cambridge.

As to the comparison of qualifications it's reasonably simple. CELTA is recognised the world over as the basic requirement for EFL teachers (not for ESL). In some places it may not be prefered, but it is without question the most recognised qual. Many countries will have another qual, such as the CERT IV in TESOL in Australia. However, most employers will prefer the CELTA.

There are higher level quals, such as the DELTA (also Cambridge) and Masters degrees. These later tend to be more up to date in terms of methodology, however, they rarely do anything to help the prospective teacher perform or even survive in the classroom.

I'd suggest that those above who have suggested that CELTA isn't the way to go have either something to sell or an ego to protect.

To be totally transparent, I have been a teacher (EFL) for 12yrs, an employer (DOS), and a trainer - both CELTA, a 'TESOL' certificate, and CERT IV in TESOL. I also have a DELTA and a masters.

My advice? Do a CELTA. If you're not sure, call a range of schools in the countries you want to teach in and ask what they want.